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ALL KINDS OF RURAL BOOKS FURKISHED AT 
PUBLISHERS' PRICES. 

V/I^GHAN'S SeGB ST0RG, 

88 STATE STREET, 



Offices & Warehouse, 

U6 & U8 W. WASHINGTON ST. 



VAUGHAN'S 



CELERY MANUAL 



• • • TOPICS • • • 

Preparation OF THK Ground, C^A6.^ 

^ Varieties, 



\, Soils AND Drainage, ( |\- n O-'ipQu ' \ / 

j ^■^ Preparation OF THE Ground, Sr^O^^ "^^-^ 

\/ U Fertilizers, '"^gt^ 



Plant Growing, 
Transplanting, 

Growing Two Crops of Celery, 
Double Cropping, 
Hilling and Banking, 
Digging, 

Bunching and Packing, 

Winter .Storage and Bleaching, 
Shipping Trade, 

Chapter for the South, 
Profits. 



VAUGHAN'S SEED STORE. 
CHICAGO. 

1.SS9. 



[Entered Accordin<r to Act of Cougress iu the year 1889 by 

J. C. VAUGHAX. 
Ill the oflfice of tlie Librarian of Congress at Washington.] 






PREFACE. 

We are often cousuUed by those who would engage in gardening 
or ])laut growing and trust soTie may find in a careful study of these 
])ages that answer which lack of time prevents our giving to in- 
dividual cases. While in the-e times of close coiupetitiou in every 
branch of labor or business we would not throw any false rosy light 
over the pursuit of gardening ; while we would be the last to 
mislead the beginner who may harbor the idea that " anyone can 
be a gardener " yet we must claim for il a fair promise of reward for 
energy and brains. I, et no one im igine that he needs but sow to 
reap ; that fine crops and good prices for them are as sure from his 
ground as " grass grows and water runs, " but know, that to be a 
good gardener is not less diflicult than to be a good merchant, 
manufacturer, grocer or tradesman. Tlie wise solution of the prob- 
lem of creating wealth from the soil is not less ditTicult and recpiires 
no less time to learn than many other pursuits and he who thinks 
otherwise may learn the contrary at the end of sad and dear experi- 
ences. We know of no business so easy and profitalile that un- 
skilled labor may expect immediate success. 

The Culture of Celery is no exception, it is perhaps a high 
branch of that "Art which doth mend Nature;" therefore act 
wisely, and by all the knowledge you can acquire from practical 



meu aud despise not that knowledge because you find it written 
in books ; rather study wisely to marry the theory with the practice. 
This well done, the well-read man can never be scorned by his less 
educated but more practical brother worker. We know, however, 
of no branch of art where one by carefully following the instructions 
here given, may hope for greater return for his investment and labor. 
To Mr. Burt Eddy, (a practical grower of tw'enty years experi- 
ence) I am indebted for the thorough working details aud systematic 
arrangements—in fact the authorship of this Manual, which I have 
supervised, illustrated aud printed, with the hope that it may be 
some addition to the scant list of practical gardening essays. 

J. C. VAUGHAN. 
Chicago, March i, 18S9. 



lELERY (APiCM CRAVEOLENS) is a native of Britain, which in 
emigrating to America, has greatlj- improved its conditions. 
There is no doubt that here it is more widely and better grown than 
in its native land. As a wild plant its stem was about two feet 
high, its root long and tapering, its taste acrid and suggestive of 
poisonous qualities, while its odor was offensive. Now, by the evo- 
lution of superior culture, the stalks have grown solid, crisp, 
agreeably sweet and of a nutty flavor, while in one variety the roots 
are swollen into turnip-shaped bulbs. It has become an important 
factor of a good dinner-table, a flavorer of its soups, an ingredient of 
delicious salads, a boiled vegetable and a prett}-, edible ornament. 
Through its remarkable development it has become an important 
commercial staple, requiring thousands of acres for its production 
and extensive shipping facilities for its distribution to all sections of 
of our wide continent. One center alone, the Kalamazoo Celery 
District, reports shipments for the past year of 20 and 30 and not 
infrequeutl}- 50 tons of this product daih- during the eight months 
constituting its shipping season, and the end is not yet, the demand 
still increases ; there is a continually widening field for development 
and a prospect that for \ears to come it will prove a profitable crop 
to engage the attention of cultivators. 

Certain localities seem especially adapted to the successful cul- 
ture of this crop and the growers learn certain economies common 
to operations of great magnitude. Yet we believe there is no sec- 
tion of our country so poor in advantages of soil and climate that a 
measure of success cannot be attained, and in most cases some spot 
near towns can be found where high success will reward intelligent 
management and labor. Even in sections of our Southern vStates 
where most unfavorable conditions exist, by following plans sug- 
gested on followiug pages, we believe good crops can be grown. 

In our locality "doubling " this crop with early cabbage, lettuce, 
peas, beets, beans, potatoes or even sweet corn and onions secures 
the best possible returns from high-priced lands and costh' manures, 
though many growers devote their whole ground to this crop alone 
and raise on it two and even three crops during the season. The 



wide-spread impression that this is a difficult crop to grow — requir- 
ing mysterious ledgerdemaiu is fast being dispelled by practical ex- 
perience in its growth and thorough information and advice from 
skillful growers imparted in essays and books. 

Experience in our locality has taught us certain peculiar lessons 
which may be of interest and instruction to Ijeginners or even old 
growers in other sections with differing soils and climates, since 
through interchange of ideas and experience do we often learn our 
most valued lessons. vSome of the information may be hackneyed 
to experienced growers, yet we expect to illustrate certain practices 
that are not general and that have been very successful in one of 
the most noted regions where the crop is grown and where competi- 
tion is the sharpest. A working experience in the manual opera- 
tions of market gardening and knowledge gained in an extensive 
shipping trade, furnish us with actual facts and methods on which 
we can talk freely and familiarly, if not rhetorically, so that we hope 
to present the solid facts and pertinent points of our subject,making 
clear the essentials of the highest management of this branch of 
gardening. 

In the beginning of our subject would we emphasize a reason- 
able rather than an enthusiastic expectation of profits. Theoretical 
figures frequently sum up differently from figures in fact. vSeed- 
time and harvest often develop obstacles that are not in a pen and 
ink plan and which interfere greatly with proposed profits, yet it is 
reasonably sure that an industrious man, with proper facilities and 
small capital engaging in the culture of this specialty has a safe 
enterprise and a remunerative occupation. 

SOILS AND DRAINAGE. 

A proper seclectiou of soil is the first practical step to be taken 
in the production of anj- crop ; you can more easily construct the 
proverbial " whistle from a pig's tail, " than to produce profitable 
crops from unsuitable soils, and the vegetable now in question has 
its preferments, which when understood and supplied, make the 
"job begun half done." 

A cool, moist soil is the first desideratum and, as this requisite 
is found in soils of different mechanical structure, we have quite a 
range of selection, although there are advocates of certain kinds 
who claim that in their's alone will this crop come to highest per- 
fection, a conclusion in which common sense and practical experi- 



3 
ence do uot concur. Generally speaking, all low flat lands have a 
temperature considerably lower than adjacent uplands, their cool- 
ness being caused by greater evaporation from their surfaces ; and 
greater moisture since their sub-soils are the natural receptacles of 
drainage from the higher lands about them. As river bottoms, 
valleys, bog lands and shores of inland lakes abound in such tracts, 
certain localities have become famous for growing this crop ; but 
experience with various soils has taught us that no particular muck 
is vitally essential to raising good paying crops of Celer^^ Some 
Michigan lands, peaty in nature and abounding in humus, produce 
early and abundant crops without solidity. The growth is luxuriant 
but soft in texture, therefore inferior in shipping qualities, while it 
freezes more quickly in the late Fall than equally heavy crops 
grown on other kinds of lowland .soil. In drouths such peaty soils 
" burn " the plant and cause more rot when banking in warm 
weather, than soils having more loam. 

On almost any farm in our Western States can be found another 
variety of low-land known in different sections as sloughs, swales, 
etc., having a deep brown or black loam eighteen inches to several 
feet in depth, over-lying gravelly and even stiff cla}- subsoil ; these 
plats when broken up and gotten into fine tilth, make excellent 
Celery land and grow less hollow and more solid stalks than 
previously described lands. We have grown acres of Celery on such 
soil for home use and shipment, which has come into competition 
with lots sent out from centers where this industry is now greatest 
and our's always commanded premium prices in the open market 
for all we could produce, while we had only a small disadvantage in 
the working expense of production, .since such soils are somewhat 
heavier in working than true muck and sandy marsh land. 

Another species of soil abounds in this district which in con- 
sistency of working is a happy medium betwixt the preceding Two 
and upon which is yearly grown the finest stock. We refer to the 
Lake View district of North Chicago. It lies a little inland from 
the sandy beach of Lake Michigan, extending in a narrow strip for 
miles north of our city and is a sandy muck and alluvia mixed, 
light, porous and constantly watered like the famous bulb gardens 
of Holland, by ascending moisture from a water level in the earth 
but two or three feet below the roots of the plants, yet which never 
rises in properly drained fields to saturate the top soil nor to injure 
roots by standing water. So well adapted is this soil to Celery 



growing that hundreds of acres are devoted to it and millions of 
plants are grown yearl)-, yielding the finest celery in the world. 
The methods of culture are the finest and the fame of the product 
has spread far and wide, so that not only does it supply the Chicago 
market but the surplus is shipped in all directions. 

Wherever soils such as these three above described can be 
found contiguous to a city, or even a country shipping station, there 
it is safe to drive one's stake. By digging two spades deep in 
several portions of such fields the nature of their top soils can 
be easily determined and if suitable, attention should next be 
turned to Drainage. This crop though requiring moisture, suffers 
as much from standing water on the surface or within one foot of its 
lowest roots as many others not so great water lovers, therefore 
tile-draining or open ditching is essential. Again, such low lying 
lands are liable to submersion in early Spring when work should 
begin, in Fall before digging the mature crop and often during the 
flooding rains of June. Any intelligent land-worker can survey his 
field and accomplish this drainage as his particular case may re- 
quire without specific directions from us. The only point we will 
urge is that it be well done. 

We avoid discussing the merits of upland for this crop, as we 
are striving to present directions for the MOST profitable conduct 
of Celery gardening viewed from the market gardener's standpoint, 
although for the small garden where choice of land cannot be made, 
the cultivator need not despair of growing for home consumption 
and small local demand good crops on loam or light clay uplands. 
Though somewhat at the mercy of drouthy seasons, Celery grown on 
this last named soil is more solid, keeps longer and does not freeze 
so easily as the more succulent growth produced upon lower lands, 
with the compensating advantage of suffering less damage in ex- 
tremely rainj' seasons. However, upon a large scale where con- 
ditions must be fittest and all the economies observed, the former 
three soils must have preference. They will be rare districts in- 
deed, where some one of the named soils to the extent of a few 
acres cannot be found ; and in our travels through various sections 
we see lying in waste, acres which could be easily transformed into 
profitable fields. 



— 5 — 




PREPARATION OF THE GROUND. 

Premising that the field selected has not before been workeil in 
plowed crops and that complete drainage has been secured by the 
last of August, we commence, say September i, by casting on and 
distributing sixty good two-horse loads of rotten manure per acte, 

scattering evenly over the whole sur- 
face. Then with a good steel sharp- 
shared plow we proceed to plow our 
ground, turning a neat hut shallow 
furrow slice, so as to completely invert 
the sod and manure, cutting just wide 
DETACHABLE MOLD-BOARD PLOW, enough that the sods may lie flat with 
joints overlapping as little as practicable, that the subsequent har- 
rowing may not tear up the turf. The object of this shallow plow- 
ing is to hasten decomposition of the sod and allow the coming 
frosts to fully act upon it. With a light or medium harrow we 
over our whole ground in 
the same direction it has 
been plowed, "lapping 
half" each round until all 
has been gone over twice, 
then if well fined down, 
two harrowings cross-wise 
will further level our piece 
and fill in the crevices. In 
cases where sod is unusual- 
ly tough and a poor job of acme pulverizing harrow. 
plowing has been done, a heavy roller run first in same direction 
with furrows and finished crosswise will allow easier and more 
finished harrowing and less tearing up of sod ; bvit it pays to per- 
form these operations well, with deliberation and a skillful steady 
hand. A plow with rolling cutter or stiff coulter is necessary for 
plowing such land and in this as in all operations with tools, the 
sharpest are the best. 

A good steady and strong team will be required for some sods, 
as many of these lowland turfs are filled with roots as strong as 
thongs of steel and offer great resistance ; who plows slowly plows 
best under such conditions. When finished, as here detailed, the 




— 6 — 

tomiiig mouths of frosts aud severe freezings will finish the disin- 
tegration, and by Springtime everything will have crumbled away 
and our land will be in friable condition. 

During Winter, with cart or sled haul on fully as much more 
manure as was first applied, leaving in piles at convenient distances 
for scattering in early Spring, then there will be no mismoves nor 
delays when plowing time comes again. There will be less leach- 
ing of the manure if spread at once than if allowed to remain piled 
through the winter, yet the advantages of the thorough action of 
frost upon the upturned sod, and of the earlier drying off of the soil 
in Spring whereby a week's delay in plowing may be saved, over- 
balance anj- loss by leaching of manures and make piling the 
more desirable method. Two or three hands ahead of the plowman 
can quickly distribute the manure and prevent delay. 

From April 15 to May i Spring plowing begins. With manure 
evenly distributed over the surface, we proceed to plow, this time 
from eight to ten inches in depth, the object being to bury the top 
sod and manure where the feeding roots can ramify it during the 
growing season. To be sure the Celery roots will spread out near 
the surface if most of their food is there, yet a greater success will 
follow if the main supply is a little deeper. This induces the roots to 
run deeper where the soil is cooler and more moist, making the plant 
stronger and giving it a water siipply in the drouth of midsummer. 
The quick start after transplanting can be given by a course of sur- 
face fertilizing. It will be seen upon consideration that after the 
ground has been furrowed out to receive the plants and the roots of 
each are set down two or three inches below the field level, we are 
closer to our storehouse of plant food than at first appears. 

After this plowing is finished, do not harrow immediately but 
give the soil chance for aeration and further sweetening by late 
Spring frosts, of course governing the matter by the first use to 
which our land is to be put, whether to Celery for a first crop or to 
some other vegetable with which we intend to "double." If the 
latter is our intention, scatter evenly broadcast fine ground bone at 
the rate of about one-half ton per acre and harrow at once; other 
good commercial fertilizers can also be used for this purpose. Now 
we are ready for our crop if we intend growing something else be- 
fore the season of transplanting Celerj- — otherwise our land lies in 
the rough as before stated till June and later, or onl}- with sufficient 




— 7 — 
harrowing or cultivation to destroy the weeds which invariablv start, 
reserving the application of bone dust, etc., until final preparation 
for the Celery crop. This is the most 
thorough way to prepare new soil for our 
purpose and seemed to merit the principal 
description as compared with older soils 
already under cultivation, of which all that 
is necessary to observe is, 
that they should conform to "«*k ,^1. 
our description of suitable 
soils, be highly fertilized 
and in the best possible i^*^^' ^^-^^'^ expanding harrow. 

tilth to produce a heavy crop. A deeper plowing than usual will 
benefit such lands when devoted to Celery for the first time and a 
cross plowing, where practicable, when the plowing has previously 
been repeated in one direction. This is especially true of stiff soils. 
We would recommend for older soils, repeatedly cropped, an oc- 
casional rotation, a growing of green crops of rye, peas or clover for 
turning under and an absolute rest at intervals. 

FERTILIZERS. 

Verv much could be said upon this topic, volumes having been 
■written upon manures and specific formulas constructed, based upon 
analyses of different soils, many of them theoretical, and while it 
would be interesting to intelligent cultivators to elaborately study 
this question with good authors, we wdll here confine ourselves to 
practical means which w-e know are general and will perfectly en- 
rich the soil. Our first injunction will be like the good cook's, who 
when asked how he concocted so fine a cup of coffee, answered, "By 
putting in plenty of Coffee." The complaint of the farmer that too 
much manure makes his crops "run to tops," is to us a hint of the 
thing needful. It is TOPS we want and in as great profusion as pos- 
sible. Therefore manure generously; it will be hard to get too 
much of this good thing, provided it is well rotted and thoroughly 
incorporated in the soil. The quantity stated previously should be 
considered the minimum application per acre. 

Of all complete manures, first and foremost stands the product 
of the barnyard, properly manipulated and composted. With 
enough of it at hand we need look no further; but with lack of 
such supply, we must piece out with commercial fertilizers. Under 



— s — 

the topic " Preparation of the Grouud," we mentioned finely ground 
bone as a complementary manure for this special crop, not because 
we deemed it superior in ammoniacal qualities to pure Peruvian 
Guano, but because it is less caustic and does not burn and spot the 
stalks and hearts of the Celery plant as Guano often does when care- 
lessly applied. Phosphates also seem to combine with animal 
manures and make a more complete fertilizer than any other mix- 
ture, therefore it is the best formula we can recommend, though we 
do not decry the fertilizers of commerce when piire, such as ^uano, 
blood and bone, super-phosphates and special manures for certain 
crops, since we know that in small compass can be concentrated the 
active ammonia of a wagon load of barnyard manure. But the 
question lies deeper, it is one of mechanical conditions of the soil. 
Because a rock or plank can be charged with ammonia, it does not 
follow that is fertile for crops. A hard compacted soil devoid of 
humus needs the action of the fibrous portions of stable manure to 
render it loose and light enough for plants to assimilate the food 
within it. It was a hard headed farmer who replied to the state- 
ment that the time was coming when he could carry the fertilizers 
for an acre of land in his vest pocket — " Yes, sir; that maybe true, but 
I am thinking I could carry the whole of my crop in the other pocket." 
Still on new soils abounding in humus, where sod or green crops 
ofany kind are plowed under, commercial fertilizers have a secondary 
value not to be overlooked and yield better results than on older soils 
or on stiff ones which require the mechanical action of rotting fibrous 
manures. Here if such manures cannot be obtained in sufficient 
quantity, a combination as before suggested is the best compromise. 
Liquid manures are available for small plant beds and gardens, 
but on a scale of any magnitude are impracticable. A rotation 
of fertilizers is often quite as important as a rotation of crops. 
Frequently in old soils where but little response is given to liberal 
manurial applications, a thick sowing of air-slacked lime will act upon 
the inert and insoluble ingredients freeing the ammonia and other 
elements which have become "fixed." In conclusion, we will note 
that the longer and more littery manures in some seasons "burn '* 
the plants and that a large proportion of cow manure mixed with 
these makes a cooler and more suitable compost than horse manure 
alone. All applications should be thoroughh' mixed and turned 
under in plowing, as in banking Celery it is far better that clean soil 
should come in contact witl^ the plants than rank manure ; although 



— 9 — 
we have read of a slipshod method of bleaching Celery by piling 
litter against it, a practice which we cannot commend. 

VARIETIES. 

No grower will go amiss in planting the following varieties 
which have been fully tested in all parts of the country and have 
become the standard sorts : 

GIANT GOLDEN HEART, is a large growing variety of ex- 
cellent quality, handsome and showy in appearance and of fine 
flavor. We can recommend it for the market gardener and for pri- 
vate use. In this vicinity this new kind is taking the place of all 
others for second cropping, as its vigorous and rapid growth when 
planted in ihe middles of growing rows late in the summer enable 
it to make a heavy crop in the shorter season allowed by this prac- 
tice and we strongly recommend it for general crop purposes. 

GOLDEN DWARF OR GOLDEN HEART, is now a leading 
sort and is planted more largely than any other, superseding the 
old giant varieties, since it possesses as large an edible portion in 
weight as the tall sorts, while it is handled as regards banking and 
storage ai one-third the expense of the other. It is entirely solid 
and full hearted, of a waxy golden yellow color when bleached, and 
is especially valuable for its excellent keeping qualities and because 
it will Ijlanch a week sooner than any except the so called self- 
blanching kinds. 

CRAWFORD'S HALF DWARF, is a little taller in growth 
than above and different in foliage, it is a strong growing variety 
of splendid quality and is cultivated here in next larger quantity to 
the main crop ; it makes an excellent Fall Celery, also keeps well 
and rarely has hollow stalks. 

PERFECTION HEARTWELL, is a variety of merit, similar 
to Crawford's, with more slender stalks, biit heavy at base. A 
strong grower, good for Fall and early Winter use, but not so good 
a late keeper as some others. 

BOSTON MARKET, although not grown so largely here as 
formerly, this is an excellent variety. It is the staple kind planted 
by the gardeners about Boston, from whence its name. The leaves 
are entirely different in coloring from the other dwarfs, being of a 



dark glossy green, the stalks are very solid and bleach nearly white. 
It is the best keeper for late Spring use of any of the green kinds, 
in fact, this quality renders it less easy of early bleaching than onr 
other ports and for this reason principally is now grown less than 
heretofore in this district. 

NEW EARLY MARKET, a strain of the above which can be 
planted with it as a second crop and matures much earlier than 
that variety if planted at the same time. Is a short stocky grower 
and will blanch quickly at any stage of its growth. A well grown 
plant is about i8 inches high, while at a height of 15 inches the 
plants are about 12 inches in circumference. Its extreme earliness 
of bleaching, which can be accomplished two months before the 
Boston Market can 1)e made fit for use, is likely to bring it to the 
front. 

WHITE PLUME is a handsome, crisp sort of very easy culture, 
the flavor being excellent and its foliage ornamental, white and 
variegated in color. It is good for Fall and early Winter use only, 
and is well adapted for " banking " with boards and "double crop- 
ping" with the other varieties as described later, but does not keep 
well for latest use. 

PARIS GOLDEN SELF-BLANCHING, is a handsome 
French variety of recent introduction which has proven so popular 
that for the past three years, seed could not be supplied to meet the 
demand even at three times ordinary prices. The plant is of very 
handsome appearance, close habit and compact growth. The large 
heart is of a beautiful golden yellow and even the outer stalks are of 
a yellowish white color with little if any banking or bleaching. 
The ribs are perfectly solid, crisp and of the finest flavor. It is au 
excellent keeper. 

NELLIS' SELF-BLANCHING, a new variety of much merit 
possessing the self-blanching qualities and the added advantage of 
keeping later than White Plume and some others. In habit of 
growth similar to Golden Dwarf but grows some shorter than that 
variety. Is worthy of trial by those who like the self-blanching 
sorts. 

NEW ROSE, although in this country but little grown for 
market, their extreme hardiness and superlative keeping qualities 
make the red Celeries very desirable for family use and deserving of 



more universal culture. This uew sort is the best of its class and, 
its heart and stems beautifully shaded to a fine rose color, make it 
extremely ornamental to the dinner-table. 

CELERIAC, Large Smooth Prague, (New) short leaved, very 
smooth, the roots more globular in form than other turnip rooted 
kinds. Unsurpassed for salad purposes and the most desirable for 
general culture. 

From this list as complete a selection can be made as the most 
enterprising gardener requires, and if pure seed is obtaiued and 
proper culture observed, the stock will be in lively demand in any 
market. 

PL.4NT GROWING. 



It is best to choose the most sheltered portion of our field for 
the seed-beds in which to grow our plants, having regard for pre- 
vailing winds and convenience to water. In our district, many of 

the fields are so 
exposed, that 
when the top soil 
becomes dry, por- 
tions of the beds 
are often bared of 
covering for the 
seed, and others 
are buried several 
inches by the shift- 
ing soil driven by 
the high winds. 
Often again the 
sand blast cuts off 
the young and 
Pr.ANKER. tender plants caus- 

ing serious loss. We have never heard similar complaints in other 
sections and perhaps the caution implied in this is superfluous for 
most growers. 

The beds should be more thoroughly enriched upon the surface 
than the field for the general crop, and then shoiild be plowed or 
spaded into them a covering of about two inches of well-rotted 





manure, which should be harrowed or raked fine and then level as 
perfectly as possible. If the beds are laid out on a large scale, a 
planker drawn once or twice over the ground will be more effective 
than any hand raking one could give. 

Now, with any good seed drill sow the seed thinly in twelve 

inch rows in the longer 
direction of the bed for 
economy in sowing and after 
cultivation. Cover the seed 
in light soils from about one- 
eighth to one-fourth inch 
deep. AVe do not f a v o r 
simply treading in the seed, 
or giving it no covering at 
all as is sometimes advised, 
MATTHEW'S LITTLE GEM DRILL. yct our practicc would not 

do on heavy loam or clay lands. Here less covering is needed and 
the seed may be firmed in by light rolling. In about 
three weeks under average favorable_couditions the 
rows will show sufficiently to begin light cultiva- 
tion. These plants make feeble growth at first, and 
a failure now to kill the first crop of weeds is fatal 
to later easy cultivation. Here a "stitch in time 
saves more than nine." Cultivate with scuffle hoes 
and upon a large scale with the " Gem Cultivator" garden roller. 
which does good work in a short space of time. A few days after 
this begin hand-weeding and disturb the plants 
/ jy: as little as possible, especially in a dry time — 

thinning out being postponed until the second 
weeding, then thin the plants, leaving two to the 
inch, and mow off the tops several times during 
SCUFFLE hoe. growth in the plant beds, in fact, every time the 
plants crowd, an apparently rough treatment, but one which 
careful hands successfully perform. Cut back large beds with a 
scythe and small ones with a sharp sickle or even a large pair of 
shears, taking great care to avoid cutting too low. Leave the hearts 
of the plants untouched. Plants so grown are fully as good as 
transplanted ones, not half so liable to sucker and are grown at one- 
half the expense. 

This describes our plan of growing for the main crop which is 






set out in July. For the Juue setting of early Celery, plants are 
raised from seeds sown in spent hot beds, where we have taken off 

crops of early lettuce, or 
seedling cabbage and 
cauliflower plants to 
transplant into later 
frames. A sowing in these 
vacated beds made from 
March lo to 15 will afford 
us plants by June 10 to 20 
for our first crop of early 
Celery, quite as early as 
It IS advisable to plant 
and be safe from damage 
of the crop partially ruu- 
luuz. to seed — all stalks 
doing this being iinfit for 
u'^e 

111 case such hot beds 
are not at hand, a mild 
hot bed can be made. A 
GEM CULTIVATOR AND .\TT.\cHMENT. tcmpcrature of 4o° to 45° 

at night is sufficient, since the hot-bed method is apt to produce 
spindling plants, unless a low temperature is maintained. It must be 
properly ventilated and kept reasonably moist or lice will abound. 
It not infrequently happens that plants in such beds must be fumi- 
gated. Plants must be properly thinned at the right time and the 
rows should stand no closer than four inches, every other row being 
taken up when first transplanting them. They are set when some- 
what smaller than those grown in open ground and generally need 
but one shearing before transplanting. Prepared plant-bed cloth 
is a much better covering 
for these beds than ^lass 
sash, using the heaviest %-i 
cloth, this being the 
fullest protection at this iaunt iiant hid cloih. 

season of the year. At Chicago but a small portion of the crop is 
raised from these early plants, most attention being given to the 
later crop, which is in greater demand. 

The above dates are for plants grown for home use, but there 





— 14 — 

are plants produced for shipment to other sections, notably the 
Southern States, where demand does not begin until August 15 and 
continues until Oct. i, the seeds for which must be sown June 20 to 
July I in this section. This is mostly dT)ne between the growing 
rows of other plants, where every other row has been taken out, or 
as a double crop between any close rows of other vegetables, since 
it is difficult to raise these plants so late in the season without 
partial shade. In some other sections of the country they are 
grown in frames covered with lath or other screens, or are started 
in the field under mulching which is gradually removed to harden 
the young plants to the midsummer sun. 

In estimating the probable quantity of seed needed for a given 
number of plants, count that an ounce of seed will yield from five 
to ten thousand plants, though there are quite five times that num- 
ber of seeds per ounce. Allowances must however be made for 
the contingencies of germination, growth and thinning. It is quite 
safe to strike the average at 8,000 good plants from an ounce of 
seed or 128,000 from one pound. This would plant about four and 
one-half acres. The cost of seed bears such small relation to the 
final value of the crop, that the seed buyer can illy afford to hesitate 
between known reliable seed, even if higher in price, and cheaper 
but possibly unreliable stock. 

With a good lot of plants now ready, produced by the foregoing 
plan, we come to the first stage of field operations in placing them 
where they are to finally grow. 

TRANSPLANTING. 

Transplanting is done about Chicago from June 10 to August 15, 
the extreme dates for late settings. Between times operations are 
guided according to the objects in view ; whether this crop is to 
follow other vegetables, or whether two crops of Celery are to be 
grown on the same ground, or whether the plants are to be set be- 
tween growing rows of potatoes, cabbages, onions or sweet corn. 

When soils are loose and the ground is moist, plants can be 
pulled by grasping firmly with the hand several stalks at once. 
This avoids bruising and bref.king of stems and leaves, as happens 
when the)' are allowed to slip through a hand having a loose grip. 
When soils are stiffer and the weather is dry, first loosen the earth 



— 15 — 
about the plants with a spading fork and lift instead of pulling 
them, thus saving many fibrous roots. 

A portion of the tops and the ends of the tap roots should be 
sheared off, which can be done quickly by handfuls and the plants 
then placed upright in shallow boxes, with bottoms covered with 
damp soil or moss. If plants are lifted in dry weather and some 
time in advance of setting, dip each handful into thin "grout" 
coating the whole lengths of the roots, thus preventing evaporation 
while new fibres form. With these precautions to prevent wilting, 
it is better to take up plants a day in advance of using, than to 
transplant immediately. The fine white roots soon push through 
this coating, sometimes in twelve or eighteen hours and take quicker 
and better hold in their new beds, than if set out in the same hour 
they are lifted. With this same treatment plants, if properly packed 
to avoid heating, can be successfully shipped to distances requiring 
two or three days in transit. We have in some instances sent them 
out when it required five days to reach their destination. Contrary 
to general belief, plants do not begin to die as soon as removed from 
their seedbed, but summon their energies to survive the shock, and 
if met with proper conditions will live longer than is generally sup- 
posed. When carelessly lifted however, with the tops left un- 
sheared and the plants allowed to dry out, there is not sufficient 
vitality to withstand the shock of removal and such management. 

Though the plants are to be kept moist, yet observe this caution, 

NEVER WATER THE TOPS WHEN CLOSELY PACKED. If sheared aS 

directed they will absorb sufficient moisture from the bed of wet soil 
or moss in the bottoms of the packing boxes, while watering the 
close mass of tops would surely cause them to rot. There are yearly 
losses in shipment because of such treatment, sometimes done when 
first packed, and often by well-meaning but ill advised employees 
who handle them in transit. 

Our plants being in shape for setting and our ground in proper 
tilth, we make our furrows from three to four feet apart. Plants 
ought to be carried in small handfuls by the planter, and be firmly 
set with dil)ljer or transplanting trowel just 
to the crown of the root and no deeper ; by 
this method plants are not so apt to sucker 
and violent rains will not wash the soil over 
Transplanting the new and tender hearts just pushing forth, 
which sometimes causes rot. One quick thrust of the dibber makes 




— i6 — 

the hole, and another next to it closes the soil firmly against the 
plant. This is sufficient. A fussing and hovering over each plant 
as it is set, is worse than useless. It hurts the plant as well as wastes 
valuable time. A good, skillful workman should set from five to 
seven thousand plants per day, though from four to five thousand is 
considered an average day's work. A bright boy carrying and dis- 
tributing plants will prevent delay. With our favorable soil on 
cloudy days and most others except windy, dry and hot ones, one 
can set all day without interruption. Setting just before a rain is 
better than just after. Great care should be taken on clay and 
loam soils to avoid tramping the ground after rains as it packs it 
injuriously. 

When weather has been unfavorable, planting delayed and there 
are many plants to set, we have found the following to be a good 
plan : Plow just enough land to hold what plants can be set each 
day, say from four o'clock in the afternoon until dark, always having 
everything ready at hand with which to work expeditiously and le 
the furrows be made just ahead of the planters. The plants take 
root in this freshly turned soil almost before it can dry out. Six 
inches in the row is the proper distance for setting the plants. A 
less distance crowding them and a greater wasting the space. Unless 
very dry weather follows, plants so set should soon take fast hold in 
their new places and be past wilting. AVe find it rarely necessary 
to practice watering, an expensive and laborious job if properly 
done, and harmful if only light sprinkling is practiced. In an extra 
dry time a thorough soaking of the whole ground under the rows 
will advance the plants, but it is rarely practicable here on a large 
scale, and if we trust to thorough transplanting and the usual rain- 
fall, we seldom lose even a small part of our plantings. 

We do not expect much growth immediately and little work is 
necessary more than light cultivation to keep down the weeds 
until the time arrives for thorough stirring of the soil and working 
it towards the rows, preliminary to hilling and banking, since it is 
better not to disturb the newly transplanted rows until thoroughly 
rooted and some growth is made. 



17 



GROWING TWO CROPS OF CELERY 

Before entering into details, we will digress from description of 
methods to a discussion of a point which it is now time to consider, 
namely : whether we wish to make a specialit}- of growing this crop 
alone, i^roducing both early and late Celery for home market and 
shipping, or whether we are to conduct the business as we do here, 
making it one of the economies in our general system of gardening. 
In the first place for a new grower in the smaller cities, where home 
demand is slight and a shipping trade not yet started, early Celery 
is not a safe crop to handle, since the demand is never so large as 
for the late growth and the early crop is also very perishable at the 
season of the 3^ear in which it is ready and must be pushed off as 
fast as bleached. The later crop coming at a time when the truly 
large demand exists, and a cooler season is at hand in which to pre- 
serve it, make it the safer stock to handle. Large growers and 
shippers with trade established, having wide correspondence and 
sending their product to every section, find plenty to do, and use up 
their first early crops satisfactorily, but beginners can only make 
haste slowly in the smaller places mentioned, thovtgh, if near the 
the lively markets of a great city with steady daily demand, all 
may stand a comparatively equal chance in the open market ; but 
even here that lively inquiry never exists from Augiist until Septem- 
ber, when other green vegetables are yet in profusion, that does 
through the balance of the year and on until the succeeding spring, 
even as late as April. Well wintered stocks are always in great 
demand and the wise grower will see to it that the major portion of 
his crop consists of late varieties that will be in the best possible 
shape for Thanksgiving and Holiday time and for the later Spring use. 

Having first suggested provision for the disposal of early crops 
as fast as ready, we will now speak of the methods of culture. With 
ground ready about June lo, we furrow out shallow rows three and a 
half feet apart and use for this planting the plants grown in hotbeds 
from our sowings in March ; we generally use the White Plume 
variety for this early setting, since it can be readily blanched l)y the 
process of bleaching, we employ for the first half of our crop, 
though Golden Dwarf answers well. This planting should be 
finished by June 25, at latest, that it may become fairly established by 



— i8 




July lOjWheii we commence setting the late crop between these grow- 
ing rows, marking out a little deeper furrow this time, using a short 

winged shovel plow, which 
throws the dirt nicely to either 
side close up to the first rows, 
but being careful that none 
get covered. Now finish the 
bottoms of the newly marked 
furrows w'ith a narrow rake 
drawn rapidly through them, 
making a flat bottom to re- 
wiN(,Ki. sii()\ 1 L PLOW. ceive the plants. The wisdom 

of putting down the manure so as to be under our crop is now 
obvious. This latter planting can continue as late as August lo, 
and with our first planting will afford a succession from September i 
until March or April, as the latter portion of the second setting is 
only partially banked where grown, the bleaching being completed 
in " beds " as detailed in chapter on " Winter vStorage and Bleach- 
ing." 

In about two months after planting, the bleaching of these first 
rows must be begun, for which purpose we use twelve-inch rough 









BLANCHING WITH BOARDS AND SECOND CROPPING. 

boards sixteen feet long, conveniently placed on each side of the 
rows, at first laid flat upon the ground, with the inside edges next 
to the Celery, close up against the rows ; now a man at each end 
astride the row, lifts his ends of both boards and closes them against 
the Celery, with leaves gathered upright and holds the boards from 



— 19 — 

spreading with the feet against the bottom edge. The boards are 
now clamped together by notched wooden pieces, applied on their 
upper edges at three or four equidistant places along their length, 
which prevents them from spreading and holds them together 
within two or three inches according to size of the Celery, neither 
crushing the plant nor leaving them too open. Plants so enclosed 
will bleach in two or three weeks and after first cost of lumber is 
considered, this is the cheapest and most effective method that can 
be employed for the purpose, when working two crops of Celery on 
the same ground at once. The operation is completed by drawing 
sufficient dirt against the bottoms of the boards to keep them im- 
movable and keep out light from the lower portions of the stalks 
In the meanwhile keep the central rows well cultivated with pronged 
hoes and hand cultivator, which gradually fills the furrows, and 
he ready by September lo (when the first boarded rows will have 
been dug) to again use the same boards on the later planting. By 
pushing off our first crop as rapidly as possible we can use the boards 
on our second crop up to October I, after which if we bleach more 
of the latter, it is best to bank with dirt, as cooler weather is now 
at hand and also for other reasons ; the land should have been before 
this cleared of the first crop, and there w^ould then be sufficient 
earth to bank the remaining rows, or as many as are needed for 
earliest winter use ; a portion of the plants, however, are only hilled 
enough to keep them upright, preparatory to placing them in the 
"beds" for winter storing and bleaching, and are the stock we in- 
tend for latest winter and early spring use. A still earlier first crop 
can be grown, by commencing to transplant the first rows two 
weeks sooner and a close succession made by setting the second 
crop from the first outdoor plants which are ready by July i ; but 
the general plan described is the more practicable and profitable. 

A few small growers, whose grounds are in superlative condition 
and limited in area, sometimes grow three crops in one season by 
extending the plan described, but making the first planting about 
May 15 and marketing the first rows Vjy August i to 10, immediately 
replanting the vacated ground ; but this is too much Celery to the 
square acre and comes in a time when it is apt to rot, and a portion 
of it to run to seed, and is only mentioned here to illustrate the un- 
profitable extremes which some growers with a hobby practice. 
There are also growers who have plenty of cheap land, who plant in 
three to three and a half feet rows and grow but one crop from their 



July setting, letting the ground lie fallow the earlier part of the 
season ; but this is not working good land up to its possibilities. If 
for reasons before stated it is not desirable to go into business of 
growing early Celery, and the ground is only needed for July set- 
ting, the plan in the following chapter will show the economies of 
double cropping, now generalh- practiced, but which are not so 
peculiar to this district as some of the other methods considered in 
this book. 

DOUBLE CROPPING 

The system of growing two different crops of vegetables upon 
the same ground, and partly at the same time is practicable with any 
earh- first crop, and Celery grown for Fall and Winter use. Beets, 
peas, lettuce,spinach, radishes, etc., are all available for the purpose. 
Onions are often grown, in which case onion seed is sown in four- 
teen inch rows, the outside row of the field and every third row 
thereafter being left vacant for Celer}- plants, thus giving the celery 
rows the required distance of three and one-half feet apart. The 
objections to this crop for a "double" are the tramping of the 
ground which is unavoidable in pulling, turning, curing and remov- 
ing the onions from the field, and that the dried skins and tops of 
onions make a littery field, and drift with the winds against the 
Celery rows making slovenly work. Planting Celery between rows 
of sweet corn is often followed by good success, but operations must 
be carefully timed, and early varieties of corn used, so that the 
Celery may not be shaded more than two or three weeks after plant- 
ing, since corn makes a more complete shade than the other crops 
suggested, and might cause the stalks to grow too spindling. Early 
cabbage and cauliflower work well with Celery. The earliest 
varieties can be entirely cleared from the ground so it may be 
thorougly plowed before receiving the plants, or in case these crops 
occupy the ground longer than expected. Celery can be set between 
their rows before the heads are cut off, and as stumps are removed 
the space can be used for cultivation of the second crop. Grown in 
this way either crop is a clear profit, as the value of one should 
offset the expenses of working and harvesting both crops. On 
account of the partial shade afforded and the slight hilling required, 
the early potato crop is especially suitable for sharing the field with 
Celery. For this purpose potatoes should be planted from April lo 



to 15 in thiee and one-half feet rows, dropping single eyes iS to 20 
inches apart in the rows, both marking out and covering with a plow. 
The two or three cultivations given these, naturally throw the soil 




"double croppin'g" with potatoes. 
toward the rows, though we do not advocate the old-fashioned hill- 
ing. This prepares just such a place in the center of the drills as is 
needed for setting Celery, which is done from Jul}- i to 13 ; the 
plants receive partial shade from the vines, and are not interfered 
with when the potatoes are dug. As soon as the tops are \.arted out 
of the field, horse or hand cultivation can be given with plenty of 
room to work, and the Celery rows can be readily ban't^ed with soil 
instead of boards. 

Double Cropping is successful and profitable i& nhnost all sec- 
tions, unless we except the vSouthern States where some of these 
first crops are not adaptable and the seasons of tidnsplanting are 
not the same as with us. However, we intend to demonstrate that 
even there with our system and a change of planting season. Celery 
growing can be made a successful and paying ecrerprise. 

The plan of growing two crops of Celery on the same ground or 
of "double cropping," we esteem most worthy of careful considera- 
tion on account of its economy, and economy wins in the race for 
profits. 



HILLING .AND BANKING. 

Reference has previously been made to the bleaching process, 
but certain important points require detailed mention. We engage 
eagerly in our tilt with fossilized methods in memor}- of our purga- 
torial experience as we knelt on tender knees astride our rows and 
handled with cramped hands thousands of plants under a pitiless 



sun, or in remembrance of the useless and worse than useless hillings of 
this plantat somanystages of its growth. Tedious and painful experi- 
ence has taught us progressive methods at both these points. We 
protest against the method still advocated by some, that each plant 
shall be handled and the dirt gathered to it with the hands lest a 
little soil touch and thereby rot the heart ; that is only a bugbear, a 
fancied danger, and an expensive waste of time and labor, the cause 
of more useless work than even the traditional digging of trenches- 
and growing of the giant sorts by the cumbrous methods of old. 

Too much hilling of this plant prevents perfect development,, 
but without banking, Celery will be tough and stringy in structure 
and rank in taste. To make it tender, white and crisp, requires hill- 
ing first and banking later, nearly or quite the length of the stalk, 
but the first operation under improved methods is more expeditious 
and effective than formerl}'. Two hillings at most are enough before 
final banking and one in warm weather is better than two. The 
plants should acquire a certain thickness before much earth is 
drawn to them, since as soon as completely hilled, the stalks shoot 
up tall without corresponding thickness. With some of the best 
stock grown, hilling has been deferred until but a short time before 
bleaching. When ready to hill, the center of the rows should be 
thoroughly worked and the loose dirt thrown towards the plants. 
Now two men, one on each side of the row, with a " push scraper " 

should gently move the dirt 
against the plants, which 
straightens the stalks and 
makes a slight bank about 
six inches high to hold them 
upright. This at most should 
not be over one-third the 
height of the plant. This 
work properly done and with 
soil in right condition no 
PUSH SCRAPER. luore injures the hearts of 

the Celery than the old-time handling, with the additional advan- 
tages of better holding the plants in place and of being more rapidly 
done. This process is followed by banking proper, which occurs 
generally with plants intended for first bleaching about eight to ten 
weeks after transplanting. 

At this stage of the work much hand labor can be saved by the 




— 23 — 
use of the following devices : Two sideboards sixteen feet loug on 
opposite sides of the row, held in position by stakes nailed to them 
which are thrust into the groimd, hold the stalks perfectly straight 




SIDE-BOARDS. 

and upright while a man each side banks the plants to the desired 
height the length of the boards. Then the boards are lifted and the 
holes left by the stakes are filled and another section of the row is 
treated similarly until the whole row is banked. Six inch boards 
are sometimes used with stakes separate having a shoulder cut at 
their tops and notched so as to receive the board. The notched 
sides are turned towards the row and the Celery tops gathered 
so closely together,by their outward pressure hold the boards from 









<Vv 



FINISHED BANKING. 

falling out of the notches. The latter methoJ claims easier hand- 
ling, and of lifting the stakes out with less danger of a sliding of the 
new banking, but whether attached or unattached, the stakes push 
easily into the soft ground and either way answers. Care should be 
taken not to press the soil too firmly against the plants, a gentle 
backing of the soil with the spade as it is thrown up, with the 
weight of the dirt, is sufficient, which leaves the plants ventilated 



— 24 - 

yet enclosed with earth sufificieutly to effect bleaching. This is not 
a theoretical plan, but an actual working effective one used by suc- 
cessful growers. A trial of this practice will commend it to gar- 
deners as a saving of time and labor, which has a money value, and 
there will be no return to former methods. Two efficient men at 
the work will surprisingly increase the amount of banking they 
formerly accomplished. Much of the Celery banked in this section 
about Chicago is put up without handling and even without the use 
of these sideboards, but requires more straightening of the stalks 
and leaves by hand ; their use will be found a convenience and 
benefit. 



DIGGING. 

When sufficiently bleached, choose dry weather for harvesting 
the crop. If digging for storage, never handle the tops when wet or 
frozen, as rust and decay will surely follow. If the weather is very 
dry and windy, put away the piles of Celery very soon after digging, 
lest they \\ilt,in which condition plants will root poorly, turn yellow 
and keep badly. 

An expeditious method of digging our crop is to first run a one- 
horse plow on one side of the bank, letting the laud-side run close 
to the row. setting the clevis over, that the horse may walk clear of 

the banking. This leaves it an easy 
matter to finish with spading fork or 
spade and enables us to throw out the 
plants quite rapidly. If to be used for 
immediate marketing, pull off the 
outer stalks and pile in wheelbarrow 
the bunching house. If for storing 
do not trim off the broken outside 




WHEELBARROW. 

or cart for removal to 
in the field for winter use 
stalks so closely as for immediate bunching, 
and put into small piles that they may be con- 
veniently carried to the beds which should be 
made if possible in the field where grown and 
parallel with the rows, these beds being located 
centrally to the rows that are to fill them as 
length in a following chapter. 

In the largest fields, the crop can be plowed out with two horses 
one on each side of the row. Run the standard of the plow a few inches 




HAND CART. 

will be detailed at 



_ 25 — 

to the left of the stalks, with a right-haud plow, having the clevis 
set as high as possible that the whiflaetrees may not break off the 
Celery tops. A skillful plowman with short practice will break no 
more stalks than is done when digging with spades, with the ad- 
vantage of greatly economizing time. With this plowing out of the 
rows, the plants are partially covered with loose soil, which prevents 
wilting from exposure to sun and wind in a dry time, while it 
allows the throwing out of a suflScient number of rows to fill quite a 
section of bed before taking them from the furrows to the storing 
place. A steady team and good plowman after the first row is turned 
on its side, will find no further diflSculty and the crop will be rapidly 
harvested and in good shape. 

Small areas, where horse and plow are not at hand, can be dug 
with a spade, first shoveling away the banking from one side and 
then digging under the roots of the plants lifting them out by a 
slight pull on the stalk, in addition to a prying movement with the 
spade. If intended for bunching at once, a slight cutting of the roots 
does no harm, but if for storage, it is better to preserve most of the 
roots, as the plants should again take hold in the beds to keep well 
after storing. It will be readily seen that by the quick plans des- 
cribed a large crop can be harvested in a short time, avoiding much 
risk of loss late in the season when severe weather threatens to lock 
up the ground for the winter. 

BUNCHING AND PACKING. 

Where a large product is handled, with sales commencing at 
the earliest diggings,and continuing until the spring months, proper 
conveniences for cleaning, bunching and packing are indispensable 
and the more completely they are arranged, the more economically 
will the stock be made ready for the market. With hydrant or pump at 
hand, a good sized square tank, at least seven feet long b}- two wide 
and deep is set at proper height, so stooping will not be necessary, 
having water supply at one end and a waste plug in the bottom at 
the opposite end which should be set about one-half inch lower to 
allow complete drainage when drawing off the dirty water, after 
washing. Tables at the right and left should connect with the wash- 
ing apparatus,one on which to pile the trimmed stalks and the other 
for the Celery when washed. At this last, stands the buncher with 



— 26 — 




his rack made to receive twelve or thirteen stalks and the strings 
depending from boxes overhead, so as to be entirely out of his way 

while filling the rack and 
tying the bunches. The stalks 
are first trimmed of the 
broken and green outside 
stems and the roots cut to a 
point and four sided with a 
sharp knife for clean smooth 
BUNCHING RACK. ^ork, leaving as large a por- 

tion of the root as possible. Now they are thrown on the table at 
the right of the tank where they are taken as needed by the washer, 
the vat being kept two-thirds full all the time, so the dirt can 
partially soak off, ahead of using the brush. In washing, the tops 
are held downwards, so dirty water will run out of, instead of into 
the hearts. After washing, they are placed on the table to the left, 
convenient for bunching. The rack is made to receive four stalks 
in the bottom, which are placed to best advantage for appearance 
when tied. If the stalks are of good uniform size, three layers like 
this make the proper size of a bunch; but if some are small, we put 
five in the second or center layer, making the top and bottom 
layers of four each. 

The strings which are first placed across the bottom of the rack 
at proper distances, are brought around the bunch at both ends and 
tied closely, which finishes a shapely flat bunch of twelve or thirteen 
stalks and is more attractive and packs to better advantage than the 
round bunches put up by some growers. These are piled to the left 
on this same table or on a bench underneath, until a sufficient num- 
ber are ready, when they are rinsed by dipping them into clean 
water and lifting them out quickly, holding tops downwards, being 
now left to drain before packing. 

We use five-ply jute twine, which is large enough not to cut the 
Celery when drawing it tightly in tying and is cheaper than cotton 
string. Attention given to these details pays, for good stock put up 
in slovenly shape and in distorted bunches, does not attract buyers 
so readily as neat, shapely ones, of perhaps inferior stock. If sold 
in the home market, the bunches are packed in large boxes holding 
from thirty to fifty dozen and are delivered in this shape ; but if for 
shipping trade, lighter boxes are made of one-half inch stuff for the 
sides, tops and bottoms and one inch pieces for the ends. These 



— 27 — 
hold from eight to twenty dozeu, the last being the maxhnuiu size 
since there is danger of heating in warm weather if the product is in 
too large bulk. In cold weather even this largest sized box is weight 
■ ^ enough for careful hand- 

ling. The bunches are 
packed in layers alternat- 
? iugthe ends and in moder- 
ate weather the boxes are 
slightly ventilated. When 
severely cold, we line the 
boxes well with paper, 
doubling it at the top and 
bottom and re'alize no 
trouble in sending long 
distances in the coldest 
weather if by express,but if 
by freight, we sometimes 
•wrap each bunch loosely in 
coarse brown paper in ad- 
dition to the lining of the 
boxes which generally pro- 
tects it thoroughly from 
freezing. In making boxes 
■ \^j'Pl ^'"''> / / for EARLIER SHIPMENT, 

/v. W V' '^ vJ^ ^^ Celerv as a rule is 

CELERY BUNCH. WUCU v_ , . ^,,^ 

lon-er than that bleached in the beds for winter use we cut the 

lumber thirty inches long for all the boxes^_and^^^^-nt 

quantities, make them according to ' 

the following table : 

7 in. deep, i8 in. wide, 30 in. long holii- ■- 

dozen. 
7 in. deep, 22 in. ivide, 30 m. long holds 10 

dozen. 
12 in. deep, 16 in wide, 20 in. long holds i^ 

dozen. . , , 1 . ,„ 

14 in. deep, 20 in. wide, 30 m. long nolds 20 

dozen. 

In making boxes for the WINTER 
CROP, a reduction of two inches in 
width and depth should be made andl 
the lumber be cut from twenty-four' 
to twenty-eight inches in length, for 





— 28 - 

the average size Celery grown here. Boxes should be made in 
advance of season for this purpose, be neatly stenciled with a 
private brand and be ready for use when the busy shipping season is 
at hand. 

WINTER STORAGE AND BLEACHING. 

However thoroughly we understand the process thus far des- 
cribed and though throvigh good management we may have a 
splendid crop, yet right here we win or lose it. It is the most im- 
portant point of our enterprise. As a rule from one-fourth to one- 
third of all the Celery grown is annually lost by improper manage- 
ment in storing, — a loss which can be largely reduced if not entirely 
overcome. We take especial interest in offering to growers a 
detailed account of the most successful method with which we are 
acquainted, a method never before published and one we believe not 
practiced outside a few Celery districts. Experienced, practical 
growers in this section, who have passed through all the experi- 
mental stages in learning to grow and store this vegetable, have re- 
nounced the trench system for winter quarters and have adopted the 
following plan, believing it much superior for winter bleaching and 
preservation. 

Since decay follows closely on thorough bleaching, the whole 
crop should not be fully banked before putting away. It is a good 
plan to completely bank about one-third of the field, two or three 
weeks before storing, to hill to about half its height another third, 
and to merely straighten up the last third with the push scraper 
about ten days before the final storing away in the beds. This gives 
a succession of bleached Celery in average winters if properly 
preserved, from Thanksgiving time until April, when it commands 
a higher price than the early yields. 

The highest economy in our plan demands that the storage beds 
be located in the field where the crop is grown thus saving time, 
labor and cartage. Since a bed will contain the plants from a large 
number of rows, a place central to the exact number of rows that 
will fill it should be selected, that the plants may be carried to it 
from each side ; for instance, if a bed will hold twenty rows, 
which it will if made two-thirds the length of the growing rows, we 
would count from the side of the field ten rows inward and here 
start our bed. This is as central as can be, and the ten rows each 






— 29 — 

way are tributary to it. We dig up the starting 
row and lay the plants to one side out of our way. 
Now with the plow we throw up a high back- 
furrow, then with the spade cut down one sloping 
side of this bank straight to the bottom of the 
y furrow, throwing the loose dirt out on the land 
< side. This leaves a straight walled bank with its 
^ base at the bottom of the furrow. Now with the 
" stalks laid conveniently to his hand by the 
gatherers, who strip off the outer stems and loose 
leaves, the workman kneeling, grasps two of them 
and stands them together upright against the 
wall of the bed ; against these, two more are 
set and so on, always two thick and close together. 
When setting, he scrapes in a little of the dirt to 
prevent falling of the stalks. Another workman 
follows with a spade and banks this standing double 
row to its top, as is done in the field when bleaching 
in the Fall. This digging up of the soil for the bank- 
o ing of each row leaves a furrow of the same width 
[;; and depth as the first one made with the plow. The 
"o new bank is now cut down the same as before,which 
leaves another wall like the first, against which 
we repeat our former operations. So we proceed 
until three double rows are put in on one side, 
then we repeat the work on the other side making 
when completed a bed of six double rows of Celery 
Q- with a wall of eight to ten inches of dirt between 
H the rows. The height of our bed will be nearly 
^ that of the stalks and its length two-thirds that of 
§ the growing rows. The last banks and ends are 
y left sloping, and are then smoothly finished with 
% the spade, the tips of the leaves just showing above 
o the top surface of the bed. Other beds are built 
^ through the field parallel to the first, with rows 
a counted each way as before until all are put 
? away. The Celery now in contact with the sou 
on all sides soon strikes root and is in the best 
possible condition for preservation and bleaching 



providing some after precautions are taken. T.eave the beds in this 



* 




— 30 — 
way until hard freezing sets in, when, being easily reached from 
both sides, a layer of two or three inches of dirt is thrown over thei- 
tops. This covering is allowed to freeze so solid that it will bear up 
a man walking over it. When settled severe weather sets in, litter 
which has been conveniently placed alongside in season, is scattered 
over the tops, sides and ends of the beds and is increased in 
quantity as colder weather demands. Never put on heavy covering 
at once as the warm soil in the beds would draw out the frost from 
the frozen crust, heat the beds and cause rot. If this crust can be 
kept frozen until the stock is taken out, it will be of advantage. 
More Celery is lost by heating and over-bleaching than by freezing 
The novice is always apt to "tuck things up " at the first approach 
of slight freezing, which cannot injure Celery stored in this manner. 
We mean by severe freezing weather, a temperature of 15° above 
zero which continues to fall until zero or below is reached The 
covering of litter is needed in the beginning of such a cold spell and 
should be increased in thickness as judgment determines the frost 
IS going deeper into the beds. Herein lies the only secret of keep- 
ing Celery successfully throughout average winters. Stock intended 
tor use by Thanksgiving time needs no covering of litter and in 
most seasons no covering of soil. Do not be alarmed if the tips of 
the leaves are frozen since they come off with the trimming of the 
outer longest stems when they are prepared for market, and these 
beds a few inches from their outer surfaces are warmer than 
imagined. 

There are modifications to the above plan practiced by certain 
planters, but we believe them open to objections. r,„tead of start- 



END VIEW OF STORAGE BED 

inga bed with a back-furrow as in our plan, a growing row which 
bas been banked to its top is allowed to stand and its sides are cut 
down, but It makes bad work when the Celery is taken out on a 



— 31 — 
■cold day in winter, since this row is so firmlj- rooted, it must be 
dug instead of lifted in handfuls as is the case in stored rows. 

vSonie growers contend that wide beds of six rows heat in their 
centers in a mild winter and therefore, make them of three or four 
rows. We see no difference in their keeping. Such winters are 
unfavorable to the best preservation of this crop in any kind of bed, 
shed or trench, and some loss is inevitable unless stored with the 
most careful attention to ventilation and light covering. Since loss 
in a mild season is a contingency to be counted on and these narrow 
beds are wasteful of covering, we hold to our original number of 
rows. Others deem it economical to place triple instead of double 
rows in the two outside banks of a bed, since heating is not probable 
in this most exposed position, but in such thick rows all of the 
plants can not come in contact with the soil and imperfect bleach- 
ing is the result. 

To open these beds, take the litter off one end and if all has 
gone well, the frozen crust can be broken with a pickaxe or spade 
into large flakes, exposing the tops of the Celery almost as green 
and fresh as when put away. vShoveling away the loose bank, the 
stalks are easily lifted out in handfuls and carted to the bunching 
room. Care must always be taken to throw back the soil and litter 
on the broken end of the bed after taking out the day's supply, 

The above plan excels the old trench system, in that, perfectly 
green Celery can be bleached in these beds equally as well as in the 
rows banked in fall in the fields, only requiring a little more time. 
In a trench, perfectly green Celery never bleaches well. They 
answer for temporary storage of Celery already bleached, or for a 
few stalks saved for seed purposes which one wishes to keep as 
green as possible all winter ; but they are not economical of labor, 
are infested with mice in winter and, in wet soils, the Celery is 
frequently ruined by standing water. 

In the vSpring these l^eds are easilj- leveled with the spade and 
harrow, and the litter scattered on all sides, and will make the most 
fertile spots in the field for succeeding crops. 

There is another fair plan which answers well for holding 
Ijleached Celery for sales in early winter, and merits description for 
those who aim to make sale of their entire crop by January i. It is 
the shed, or, as termed by the Kalamazoo growers, the "Coop" 
system. There are two methods for these according to the amount 
of Celery grown. For one made on the largest scale an excavation 




is made fourteen feet wide, twenty 
inches deep and as long as is 
needed. Posts about four inches 
in diameter are set every four or 
five feet through the length of this 
pit close to its sides, these are for 
the walls and should be boarded up 
on both sides of the posts which 
leaves a hollow space to be filled 
with leaves or sawdust, or what is 
better yet, the inside of the inner 
boarding can be lined with tarred 
paper. vScantling are nailed on the 
tops of the posts as a plate upon 
. which to rest the rafters which 
o should be cut nine feet long. The 
g roof should be made of good 
S boards, covered with sheathing 
fc paper and then shingled, having 
o spaces left for a few sashes to give 
- light and ventilation in mild 
o weather. For regular ventilation 
§ have wooden chimneys ten inches 
tn square every fourteen feet with 
covers for extreme cold weather. 
The ends should be boarded, 
papered and sided, with a window 
in the rear and a door and window 
in front ; when very cold, shutters 
can be used to cover all the 
windows. In the center of the shed 
two parallel rows of boards about 
eighteen inches wide are set up on 
their sides and are nailed to posts, 
making an alley twenty inches 
wide running lengthwise of the 
shed ; on the inner sides of these 
boards and on the walls of the 
shed, cleats should be nailed every 



teen inches that boards may be slipped in to separate the Celery 



so that it may not be massed in too great bulk and also to keep it 
upright. Just before putting in the Celery, spade up the ground 
that the roots may readily take hold of and receive moisture from 
the loosened earth. Set the roots fairly on the ground and slip in 
the boards every eighteen inches until the shed is filled. If the 
Celery shows no signs of wilting, do not wet it as this is bad for any 
plants packed en masse ; if moisture must be supplied, sprinkle 
the soil before putting in the Celery. In mild weather these sheds 
should be aired, the chimneys can remain open nearly all the time 
except in the coldest weather ; if kept too warm, the leaves turn 
yellow and the plants are in danger of rotting. 

The second plan for shed storing is a modification of the above, 
is cheaper built and is used for storing lesser quautities> A long 
txench-like pit is dug two feet deep, four feet wide and as long as 




PIT STORAGE. 

needed. There are no board walls and the rafters are dug into the 
tops of the side banks three feet apart and are nailed with ten-penny 
nails to a ridge-board making a secure framework on which to rest 
the boards for the roof, three of which twelve inches wide put on at 
right angles f o the rafters, make one side of the roof. This is sub- 
stantial enough to bear up a covering of six inches of sod or soil. 
Additional protection can be given later when colder weather sets 
in by spreading on litter. The boarded ends should be made secure 
by lining with sheathing paper and siding, and at one end should be 
a good door. Proper provision must also be made for light, ventila- 
tion and drainage from the lower end of the path, which is made as 
in the first shed by the setting up of parallel boards, only m this, 
they are but twelve inches apart, giving just space enough in which 
to stand when placing the Celery in the spaces between the boards 



— 34 — 

and the dirt sides of the pit. The path should be dug out one foot 
deeper than the floor of the pit which, with the headroom at the 
peak, will allow passage by slight stooping. In this there are but 
two divisions of eighteen inches for the Celery, but in these sheds 
the rows run lengthwise instead of across as in the others. This 
latter plan is a ver}' cheap one, since the gardener can use his boards 
which have done service in the field for bleaching for the roof and 
the sides of the inside alley, requiring as new material, only scant- 
ling for rafters and lumber for the ends of the shed. The low roof 
can easily be taken down and apart each season, the pit be filled 
and the space turned again to field purposes. Such a pit can be 
easily made in a side hill, which requires but little lumber for the 
back end, other arrangements being made as previously described. 
There is a half-trench system, a modification and improvement 
on the old-fashioned trench, which does good service for storing 
small quantities of Celery and for stock to be kept over until May 
for seed raising. A dry spot in the garden is selected and in it a 
trench is dug two-thirds as deep as the Celery is high, the dirt 



1''' 




IMPROVED TRENCH STORAGE, 

thrown out on either side, being used to further bank the Celery to 
its top, using care at first not to press the plants too closely 
together. Later this is covered with boards and litter,or litter alone 
after throwing an inch or two of dirt lightly over the tops. Before 
the dirt is thrown on, close the Celery a little tighter together than 
before, and before the litter is spread, allow this little dirt-covering to 
thoroughly freeze. 



— 35 — 

It is often conveuient to store temporarily in the field that 
portion of the crop which can be sold prior to severe weather, which 
may be expeilitioiisly done by standing two parallel rows of boards 
twelve inches apart centrally between two growing rows and filling 
the space between with the stalks placed upright, nsing the soil from 
the ridges on both sides to bank up to the tops of the boards, which 
are then lifted out and by a light covering of litter given to the 
rows, they are left sufficiently protected against moderate freezing 
and are easy to get out as needed for late fall sales. 

For family use alone (which means small quantities) a cellar 
KEPT coor^ is a good place for storage. Narrow boxes deeper than 
the Celery is high are used, in the bottoms of which at first is dry 
sand, enough to completely surround the fibres of the plants. Later 
the roots only are well watered and kept moist through the winter. 
Small holes near the bottoms of the boxes are bored for escape of 
excess of water, since Celery plants must not stand in saturated soil. 

SHIPPING TRADE. 

Bunched Celery when put up from sound stock and properly 
packed can be sent long distances and yet retain freshness for 
several days after it has been received at its destination. This 
facility of shipment has already made it an important article of 
domestic commerce and the quantity mentioned in another place 
as being distributed from one important point, partially indicates 
the great demand which exists in many parts of the country. To 
supply this demand many produce dealers find the handling of this 
item an important department of their business, several firms in 
I this city [Chicago] shipping from five to eight thousand dozen 
weekly in the busy season. This is delivered to them directly from 
the growers at a fixed price instead of on consignment, the dealers 
in such cases of course selling it at prices something in advance of 
ordinary commission charges. This arrangement has proved to be 
the most satisfactorj'. 

For those outside of large cities we favor dealing directly with 
the retailer or consumer, as consignments made to commission men 
sometimes yield but little profit. Our experience has given us cause 
for grudge against certain commission dealers who rapaciously take 
stock, boxes and all, and modestly send in a bill for transportation, 
yet we are too fair to make sweeping charges against the whole 



-36- 

class which contains many honest aud reliable men. If you are at a 
railroad point,secure the addresses ofall grocers, fish and oyster dealers 
hotel and restaurant people at every town along your line and its 
connections, within reasonable shipping distance and mail to each a 
circular describing quality and prices of your stock, with a promise 
of prompt and regular delivery of standing orders. Express com- 
panies will generally co-operate with enterprising growers by offer- 
ing lowest rates for transportation aud other advantages which will 
enable them to compete with shippers from more remote points, 
that they may successfully control the trade nearer home. It will 
be recognized by all. that best stock, neat packages, an attractive 
brand aud prompt shipments to those depending upon regular sup- 
plies, make and hold trade. If starting in a small way, secure your 
own town and two or three others near at hand ; later as your stock 
and facilities increase, extend your borders, even to remote sections 
if possible. Addresses are easily secured from directories, or local 
express agents who cheerfully furnish them to those who propose 
shipping over their lines, or are engaging in business enterprises 
that involve the workings of the whole country. Commercial 
agencies furnish lists of all branches of trade and information as to 
responsibility and credit. 

The season of trade lasts from August to April, being most 
active as before stated, during the holidays and the best prices are 
obtained for the earliest and latest stocks, though the demand for 
the former is much less than for the latter. The most regular and 
steady demand commences after the holidays and continues as long 
as stock can be kept. 

FOR SOUTHERN GROWERS. 

Everything so far written for this Manual, has been with refer- 
ence to the Northern Section, so far as dates of operations 
and certain local practices are concerned, but lying outside 
of the details of cultivation and storage which are equally 
adapted to all sections are some special points which re- 
quire separate mention for the different conditions of the 
South, as regards climate and length of season. In that section 
they now buy nearly all their stock of winter Celery from the North, 
which arrives none the better for the long journey, and its cost 
largely increased by high transportation charges. This condition 



^"3/ — 
exists because of iinfortuuate results from usiug our time of planting 
when the season with them is so hot and dry. Failure is sure to 
follow from June and July plantings, j-et we know as good crops 
can be grown in the extreme South and especially in the Atlantic 
coast territory from North Carolina to Florida as are grown in the 
North. We have seen there, soils of similar formation to those of 
our own where Celery thrives best, not the only requirement to be 
sure, but in a late trip through different portions of the South, we 
have seen a few instances of success where right seasons of planting 
and proper intelligent methods have been used. These we will en- 
deavor to outline. 

The Celery crop requires from three to three and one-half 
mouths of growth before storage. Our advice would be to plant 
September i to 15 when the drouthy and hot period has passed ; 
from that time to December i to 25 there will be sufficient time in 
which to mature the crop, with similar weather to ours in October 
and the early part of November. This question of planting and 
temperature during growth has been the obstacle preventing wider 
culture in that section. Our suggestion as to time w^ould bring the 
harvest close to the holidays when the greatest demand begins, and 
enterprising growers would reap large benefits from having fresh 
stock at hand for local demand which w'ould more than compete 
with shipped-in lots loaded with costly express charges. The same 
ground on which tomatoes and sweet potatoes have been grown can 
be used for the September planting of Celery and even in the case 
of a late crop of sweet potatoes left undug, the vines can be lifted 
upon the ridges out of the way, and the plants set between, just as 
we do in our system of double-cropping. This involves the purchase 
of plants from Northern sections, since as we have already stated, 
at the season of the year to produce plants ready to set in Septem- 
ber, the arid temperature and burning soil defeat the purpose. Our 
Southern friends, however, can well afford this interchange, as their 
surplus product could be marketed in Northern cities in February 
and ]March just when our supply is waning and the prices are 
highest. 

Winter storage is a matter of small expense at the South, the 
temporary plan for storing between the ridges explained elsewhere, 
answering well for storing for a short season, but as a more perma- 
nent plan we recommend a modification of our bed system for this 
purpose. 



- 3S - 

Take one of the growing rows for a starting point, cnt down its 
banks, store two rows each side of this ridge, making five rows when 
finished. In localities like Charleston and Savannah rarely more is 
required than a covering of soil, in still warmer sections, the rows 
completely banked to their tops will stand safely until used. This 
is no theoretical plan, but a working one. Try it and in a few years 
we prophesy, the southland will be dotted with Celery gardens and 
another industry will be added to the growing list of that delightful 
portion of our country. 

PROFITS. 

It is not fitting that we should conclude this subject without 
reference to this important part of our whole enterprise and the 
object of all our labors ; but we will at the outset, promise avoidance 
of delusive figuring and present only a conservative statement of the 
income generalh' derived from this crop when grown on a large 
scale. The beginner only, and not the experienced grower would 
take the highest number of plants which may be raised on an acre 
and estimate his gross receipts by multiplying by the maximum 
price at which it has been sold, neither would a mathematically 
correct table of the number of plants per acre, at given distances 
apart, accurately represent the number grown, as there are always 
some misses, and a portion of the plants under average culture, 
sometimes are too small to be salable at standard prices ; therefore 
we will consider as the basis of our computation, 28,000 plants per 
acre for a single crop, and the mean wholesale price at which it has 
been sold in this market for the past three years, viz : twenty-five 
cents per dozen. We are confident that actual results will confirm 
this basis. If there will be any variation, we prefer it to show on the 
favorable side of our account : 

ACCOt'NT WITH PLOT OF ONE ACRE, SINGLE AND DOUBLE CROP. 

Am't Dr. Am't Cr. 

2,300 Dozen Celery at 25 cents per dozen $575-oo 

Half year's rent of laud $ 20.00 

Half cost of fertilizers 50.00 

one-quarter pound of seed i.oo 

Plowing and cultivating 20.00 

Hand labor 225.00 

Wear and tear of tools 5 00 

Cartage and selling 40 00 $361.00 

Net profit per acre, single crop $214.00 

2 

Net profit per acre, double crop $428.00 



— 39 — 
Practically the profit on the second crop is proportionately 
greater than when only the first is grown. As will be seen the 
most expensive item in the foregoing is for hand labor, viz: transplant- 
ing, hoeing, banking and storing, much of which can be economized 
when two crops are grown and the first one sold from the held 
without expense of storing, and it is within bounds to state in round 
numbers, a net profit per acre from the two crops, of five hundred 
dollars and proportionately more in interior towns where better 
prices are always obtained. The grower who owns his land and 
does lus own work, should also consider the amount allowed for 
rent of land and hand labor, our figures being based upon experi- 
ence here, where laud is mostly leased at a high rental and hired 
labor does the entire manual work of cultivation, etc., the proprietor 
generally attending to marketing, shipping and general supervision 
where a number of acres are grown. There are instances where an 
extra brand is produced and a good reputation is established with 
special customers, that higher prices are realized ;-numbers ot 
I growers here in some seasons make eight hundred to one thousand 
- dollars per acre, -but the estimate we have given is nearer the 
j average standard of profit, and seem? so satisfactory that culture is 
I increa.sing and planters are prosperous. 




I¥e Can Offer Fresh and Reliable Stocks, for the Market 
Gardener and Carry the following : 

I*l9t of ^affi@ti©8. 



Giant Golden Heart, 
Dwarf Golden Heart, 
Perfection Heartwell, 
Crawford's Half Dwarf, 
Dwarf White Solid, 
Early Arlington, 
Boston Market, 
New Early Market, 
White Plume, 



Golden Self-Blanching, 

Nellis' Self-Blanching, 

New Ivory Solid, 

New Rose, 

Red Giant Solid, 

Carter's Crimson, 

Turnip Rooted, 

Turnip Rooted Apple Shaped, 

Large Smooth Prague /new). 



CELERY PLANT LIST READY IN JUNE. 

\//IH6H/IN'S SeSB §T0Re, 

88 STATE AND 146 & 148 W. WASHINGTON ST. 

CHICAGO. 




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